A group of retired senior staff from City & Guilds, the prominent vocational education provider, have voiced significant concerns over a lack of communication regarding the organisation's recent sale. The stakeholders, including pensioners and former employees, remain in the dark about the details and implications of the privatisation deal, despite assurances from leadership.
Meeting Fails to Resolve Communication Issues
On 2 December, retired staff members met with Ann Limb, the chair of trustees, and Kirstie Donnelly, the chief executive, to seek clarity on the sale. During this meeting, the group highlighted that a large number of stakeholders had not received any official information about the transaction. Limb apologised for what she termed an "oversight" and promised that a formal communication would be dispatched to address the concerns.
However, as of now, no such update has been provided, leaving many feeling neglected and uninformed. This delay has exacerbated anxieties among those who have dedicated their careers to the institution, raising questions about transparency and stakeholder engagement in the wake of the privatisation.
Broader Implications for Vocational Education
The situation at City & Guilds underscores a wider issue within the vocational education sector, where rapid organisational changes can sometimes overlook the needs of long-serving staff and beneficiaries. Effective communication is crucial in such transitions to maintain trust and ensure that all parties are adequately informed about developments that may affect their pensions, roles, or the institution's future direction.
Stakeholders are calling for more proactive and timely updates from the leadership to bridge this communication gap and provide the clarity they deserve.
